Article Summary –
On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed H.R. 1, a legislative package proposed by President Trump, which includes significant cuts to Medicaid that would impact reproductive health services and target organizations like Planned Parenthood. Despite Republican claims that the bill will prevent federal funds from being used for abortions, the Hyde Amendment already prohibits such funding, and the bill is projected to increase the national deficit by $2.3 trillion over ten years. Critics, including Planned Parenthood representatives, argue that defunding the organization will not save money but instead will lead to severe consequences for public health, including undetected cancers, untreated STIs, and reduced access to birth control.
During the early hours of May 22, while many Americans slept, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed H.R. 1 with a 215-214 vote, advancing President Donald Trump’s extensive legislative package. This bill proposes major Medicaid cuts, impacting millions’ access to reproductive health care.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” aims to eliminate Medicaid funding for organizations performing abortions, including Planned Parenthood.
Republicans, like Sen. Rand Paul with his Defund Planned Parenthood Act, argue that federal tax dollars should not fund abortion care, despite the Hyde Amendment already banning such federal funding since 1976, except in emergencies.
Reports from the Congressional Budget Office indicate this bill would increase the deficit by $2.3 trillion over 10 years. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities argues it would prevent Medicaid from covering vital reproductive health services, including cancer screenings and STI testing.
Planned Parenthood reported over 2 million patients visited their clinics in 2022-2023. KFF notes that one in ten reproductive-age women on Medicaid rely on these services.
In a statement on May 22, Planned Parenthood CEO Alexis McGill Johnson criticized the decision, warning of the potential closure of 200 health centers and the loss of care for over 1.1 million patients.
“Planned Parenthood is under attack,” McGill Johnson stated on May 21. “This is an effort to end abortion in the U.S., risking access to birth control, cancer screenings, and more.”
According to the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, 2.6 million Michigan residents are on Medicaid, 26% of the state’s population.
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan’s Ashlea Phenicie criticized the House’s actions, writing in an email, “This ‘defunding’ increases the national deficit by over $300 million and has severe human costs, risking undetected cancers and untreated STIs.”
President Trump, on “Meet the Press” on May 4, vowed to veto any budget bill cutting Medicaid, emphasizing a focus on eliminating fraud and waste instead.
H.R. 1 is now with the Senate for further consideration.
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